The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Parks Department Fee Increases
Staff proposed raising fees that in many cases haven't changed since before 2011 — rec center and senior memberships, athletics, rentals and Stewart Creek Park — plus ending holiday kids camp sessions and charging disabled veterans for park passes. Council pushed back on the veteran fee.
Indoor Recreation Center grant application
The city is applying for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Park Grant to help fund the Indoor Recreation Center at 4431 Augusta St.
Animal shelter indoor dog play space partnership
The city's animal shelter expansion could include a 400-square-foot indoor play space, with the Friends of the Colony nonprofit raising half the $100,000–$120,000 cost through kennel sponsorships and donor bricks. Council gave favorable direction.
Perryman Park Playground Replacement
The new Perryman playground is nearly complete, with inspection this week. The board picked Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon, for a casual popsicles-in-the-park celebration during Parks and Recreation Month.
Pickleball courts opening and parking concerns
The new pickleball courts open within a month, but the board wants to delay the grand opening until the parking lot expansion is done so senior users aren't squeezed out. The courts will be free public play; fees apply only for programmed events.
Aquatic Park splash pad replacement questioned
Council Member Joel Marks called the aging Aquatic Park splash pad a money pit with obsolete parts and questioned building a second splash pad half a mile from the free one at Kids Colony. Staff agreed to generalize the line item as an 'aquatic amenity upgrade' rather than a straight replacement.
Stewart Creek Park RV site improvements
Phase one of RV improvements at Stewart Creek Park is underway, with about $850,000 set aside and a $1 million placeholder for roughly ten new RV sites including premium sites with sewer hookups, a restroom/laundromat building, and showers. The board signaled support to move forward.
Public-Private Partnership Performance Updates
MarineQuest reported Hidden Cove Park improvements including 40 cabin shelters, new restrooms, and a 10-inch water line; Stewart Peninsula Golf converted sand bunkers to grass and was ranked No. 10 among nine-hole courses in Texas.
B.B. Owen Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant
Great news: the city won a $750,000 matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for B.B. Owen, ranking 15th out of 61 applicants with only 26 funded.
B.B. Ellen Park grant award
Parks and Recreation landed a $750,000 matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for B.B. Ellen Park — one of only 26 winners out of 61 applicants.
TPWD grant for West Shore Park kayak launch
The city is applying for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant that would cover 75% of the kayak launch design costs and potentially $750K–$1M of construction. The city has $150,000 budgeted and was told it's highly competitive; the application is due February 1.
West Shore Kayak Launch Grant
The city will chase a state grant that would cover 75% of the cost of a planned kayak launch at West Shore Park on Lewisville Lake, with $150,000 already budgeted as the city's share — possibly enhanced with a boardwalk design.